Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Papa Smurf]

If they ask you for ID, do you have the right to say no? Do they have special powers (so to speak) that mean it's the law to show them if they ask you?

[poet13]

No they do not have special powers. In almost every single case, they recognize who is, and who is not, one of them. They rarely confuse civilians with soldiers. If they think you are a soldier, they may demand identification. You are not obligated to them or the Katusas with them. Yes, it could get sticky. Be very clear, "I am not a US soldier. I am a civilian." They will probably ask what unit you belong to. Your confused expression alone will make them walk away with a, "Have a good night." However, if they call a regular Korean policeman who demands that you identify yourself, then of course you should to the policeman.

[Bibbitybop]

If they are MP with the proper ID, show them your non-military ID, probably an ARC, and be done with it. Plus, they roll with Korean police. American MPs may not have power over a non-military person, but a Korean cop can ask for your ID.

If the MP give you any shit after that, though, tell them to fuck off. They have occasionally, rarely, been known to talk some shit to ex-military and non-military.

[DongtanTony]

Agreed...they have no powers of authority over you...but I still don't see the harm of flashing my ARC to expedite the process.

My ARC proves, without a doubt, that I'm not military.

My damn buzz cut gets me that question every time...even in Songtan.

[thiophene]

[DongtanTony]

And I choose the easiest route for me...

Wallet out...out comes the ARC...a thank you very much...and maybe a small chat about where they're from in the States.

60 seconds tops??

They're just doing their job...I'm sure they'd rather be out doing what we're doing. I'm not exactly a supporter of it...but they are just doing their job...I at least recognize that.

[yingwenlaoshi]

A lot of them are just going through the motions.

[nicholas_chiasson]

I got drunk my first time in itaewon and followed around a group of MP's shouting "the navy turned me down!" Eventually one of the guys said "Well GOOD FOR THEM!"

[CentralCali]

[spliff]

[bejarano-korea]

All you have to do is explain politely that you are a teacher and as they are not the legal authority around the place, you would be happy to wait for a civil law enforcer who has the right to check your documentation to come and check your ARC card.

[cangel]

If you don't mind me asking, what is the "principle" involved here for NOT showing the MPs your ID? It's not like they are randomly asking strangers for their IDs. If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck... Oh, profiling, perhaps? That never works and that's why so many police agencies are banning racial profiling, because it doesn't work. I used to get this all the time. The best way to avoid this in the future, grow a scruffy beard or gain a 100 pounds. They'll leave you alone. Otherwise, shut your drunken cake hole and pony up the ID. They're just doing you a favor and ridding the bars of GIs who would otherwise steal your potential conquest for the evening. Does "conquest" and Itaewon, when referring to women, work? Nuff said.

[bejarano-korea]

[agoodmouse]

I'd just show my ARC card. Not showing your ARC card won't bring your case before a federal Circuit judge like it will in the U.S. I agree with the poster who said he's glad the MPs are doing their job. Reigning in late-night Army stragglers provides less of an opportunity to see that one Army guy yelling drunkenly in the streets for all Koreans to see and, as a consequence, making me cringe inside because he's a fellow U.S. citizen. Or merely because he is a non-Korean.

[Bibbitybop]